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John 20

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

What does John 20:21 mean?

Explanation

John 20:21 is a verse that captures one of the core themes of Christian discipleship and mission.

The verse is a part of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, where He presents Himself to His disciples and gives them a mandate that defines their purpose as His followers.

In the verse, Jesus offers a greeting of peace and then commissions the disciples in a manner that reflects His own commission by the Father.

The literal meaning is clear: Jesus is sending His disciples out.

The deeper meaning suggests a continuation of the divine mission - the disciples are to carry on the work that Jesus started, empowered by the same authority and spirit that He had from the Father.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This verse is set within the context of the Gospel of John, which was likely written towards the end of the 1st century.

The encounter takes place after Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, an event critical to Christian belief.

During this period, the early Christian community was grappling with the physical absence of Jesus and determining how to move forward in spreading His teachings.

The cultural and historical background adds weight to this commissioning, as the disciples would now be tasked with spreading the Gospel in an environment often hostile to their message.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse encapsulates several key insights. It speaks to the Trinitarian nature of God's work - the Father sends the Son, and the Son sends His disciples, implying a divine authority passed on to them.

Theologically, it is also significant in understanding the concept of Apostolic Succession, which is the idea in some Christian traditions that the authority given to the disciples continues through the church's bishops and leaders.

Furthermore, the greeting "Peace be unto you" reflects a spiritual tranquility or wholeness ('shalom' in Hebrew) that Jesus imparts, reaffirming that their mission will be undergirded with divine peace.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can inspire individuals to consider their own sense of purpose and mission.

It encourages believers to see themselves as sent into the world with a purpose that aligns with Jesus's teachings and actions.

This involves sharing messages of peace, reconciliation, and hope.

Applying this teaching can mean engaging in acts of service, social justice, evangelism, or simply embodying the ethos of love and grace in daily life.

Cross-References

Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 1:8 - "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Luke 24:49 - "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text help to shed light on the verse's meaning:

"Peace" (Greek: εἰρήνη, eirēnē) - denotes a state of tranquility, implying not merely the absence of conflict but also the presence of positive blessing.
"Sent" (Greek: ἀποστέλλω, apostellō) - has the connotation of being commissioned or dispatched with authority, as an emissary or representative would be.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing Christianity to other ancient religions, one can find examples of divine figures sending humans on quests or missions, often as a means of involving them in the divine narrative.

However, the notion of a collective group being sent forth with a message of spiritual redemption is more unique to Christianity and some strands of Judaism.

Scientific Perspectives

Science primarily deals with empirical evidence and usually does not directly address specific religious teachings such as those found in John 20:21.

However, the concept of peace and its psychological and social benefits is a topic of research in social science fields. Studies on community cohesion, altruism, and the psychological benefits of feeling part of a larger purpose can tangentially relate to the themes within this verse.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse insights into John 20:21:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the comfort and courage that Jesus imparts to His disciples with His greeting of peace, suggesting it's a prerequisite for the tasks ahead.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary notes that Jesus' statement underscores the shift from His earthly ministry to that of His disciples' ministry, which the Spirit would soon empower.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament expands on the parallel between Jesus' sending and the Father’s sending, noting this missional characteristic is at the heart of the disciples' new identities.

John 20

John 20

What does John 20:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 20:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?